Sunday, June 1, 2014

Obsession

I am thinking about weaving all the time.  If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know I can get obsessed with a pattern or a project.  That is why I will be sewing my sixth skirt this afternoon with the same pattern.  I crocheted five of the same shawl pattern, made 17 felted bags one year for Christmas, made 7 drop stitch shawls for presents, and now it is weaving.  

Here is scarf number two.


Made with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool purchased last weekend at my local yarn store Knit n'Knibble.  By the way they are having a big sale in June, it is also online, so hop over and see if there is anything you'd like, and keep checking back again and again.
 

This is thin yarn and should have been threaded through a different heddle.  I think I need to buy a few more heddles for my loom so I have lots of options.  I have two, the regular one it came with and one for very fine yarns.   This scarf pulled in at the sides as I wove, I think I was a bit heavy handed, fighting to keep it tight and making it work instead of just lightening up. That sums up my personality too, I need to lighten up about a lot of things in my life.


I wound the warp too tight, I forced this scarf to be a scarf, but you know what it all ended up okay in the end.   The edges are wonky, the weave not perfect, but in the end it turned out just fine.  It is a soft, thin scarf, perfect for summer.  It is 4 inches wide, (I was going for 5.5 in) and 51 inches long ( I was going for 58), not including the fringe. 

I think I might learn a lesson or two about life as I sit at my loom.  Sometimes you just have to let things go and see what is supposed to happen rather than forcing things to happen.  In the end it usually ends up just fine, if not hopefully you can start over again.

Weaving is a great thing I can do at my kitchen table.  I can weave a row or two when Little Buddy is playing with his cars, talking away in the background, like he did yesterday.  He crawls over and checks on me and then goes back to pushing them around.  I am not back in my craft room, I am out where he is.  We can talk about things, colors and trucks, dinosaurs and opening and shutting the garage door (his new obsession).  I can do one row or ten, it is easy to put down unlike knitting where I do not want to stop mid row.

I am taking the Craftsy class on Rigid Heddle Weaving, it is on sale right now for $14.99.  I have  enjoyed watching it so far, and am learning a lot.  I watched episode 3 last night after I gave up weaving and watching my Rays lose to Boston, again. 


This is going to be my first shawl.  I have no idea how it is going to turn out.  But I do know I do not have to force it, if it wants to be a shawl, than it will be.  I am warping the loom with the purple yarn.  This is the left overs from my purple Miette, sweater.  If my calculations are correct I will have enough of this yarn to warp the whole loom.  Wish me luck.

And thank you all for visiting and your lovely comments about my Tea Towel Bag.  Sometimes when you make something you don't really have a great perspective about how it really has turned out.  It might be better than you think or a lot worse, but because you made it you don't see it clearly.

Wishing you all a beautiful day.

41 comments:

Babajeza said...

Go on! Go on! :-)

Stins said...

Nothing wrong with being a bit obsessive now and then..
I call that " focusing" , sounds better don't you think ;-)??
Your scarf is very beautiful, it looks so soft...
Love, Mirjam.

Marjo said...

I know the feeling, I am about thinking all time of crocheting new shawls, I can't get enough of it, even in summer ....

It looks very beautiful Meredith

Love
Marjo

Clare said...

The scarf looks lovely the colours great, love the new yarn too
Clare x

kathy b said...

anything you can do while LB is playing with trucks is PERFECT. I wish I could recall the weaver's blog that I used to read. She had a dozen kids (not quite) and she home schooled them all! Dad was in the military and we counted down for his return. Gosh where is my memory? I"ll look at old comments and get back to you

Ana BC said...

I also tend to repeat patterns when I find one that I love. Usually I am the guinea pig, and then make the others for gifts or to sell. Your loom fabrics look lovely ;-)

Jennifer Hays said...

Good for you! You're really picking this up quickly. The scarf is very pretty and I love that you're learning something new and having fun with it.

mamasmercantile said...

The scarf is delightful, I love the colour. I really like the idea of weaving.

moonstruckcreations said...

Your weaving is superb Meredith, and how brilliant that you can be keeping an eye of Little Buddy having fun whilst you get on with some crafting.

Knitting is something I now only do from time to time as I am absolutely rubbish at picking up half way through a row or a pattern repeat. Crochet I find is much more adaptable to the many interruptions that are bound to happen in a busy, happy house of six! And it is easy to undo if mistakes are made.

But I do still hanker after doing some knitting, perhaps I might find some time during the summer holidays if I am fortunate.

Helenxx

linda said...

If a pattern works well for you then go for it I say if I find something I love I always have to make at least one more. I like your scarf and the texture of the weave. I have never thought about weaving before but you are making me think Meredith, you always do that don't you be it tables or looms haha, can't wait to see your shawl, I love the yarn, have fun xxxx

cockney blonde said...

Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only obsessive person. Perhaps its a craft thing. Love the scarf, the colour is beautiful and its looks just great to me, x

andamento said...

It looks gorgeous, I love the colour and texture.

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith.. you are perfect the way you are. The best artists get really into their craft and take it as far as they can.. just think of yourself as an "artiste"! The scarf is gorgeous! I can't wait to see what you do next. I've done some weaving, too. I have 2 miniature wooden looms in my attic and in the barn I have a rustic floor loom.. remind me to tell you why it's in the barn loft someday. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

yarn and pencil said...

The scarf is beautiful and the colour so lovely. I'll look forward to seeing what those 3 new yarns decide to turn themselves into :-)
Tracey xxx

Mrs. Micawber said...

You may be obsessive but you are productive with it! I am obsessive too, but it takes the form of fussing over the process and hardly ever producing a finished project. :)

What a beautiful green scarf, and I can't wait to see the purple-y one.

Betsy said...

The new scarf is beautiful Meredith and just perfect-like you! :-) I think we all tend to be a bit critical of ourselves, although I know it's a good thing to try to get better too. Enjoy your new toy!
Blessings,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

You are doing very well with weaving. I think you are right, our crafts teach us things ....sometimes it's things we didn't know we needed to learn.

Linda said...

Bravo for your new obsession Meredith, I can be a little obsessive with something new, I like to take the time to learn and master new skills and put them into practice.
hugs xx

CJ said...

It's lovely, you're really getting the hang of it. I get little obsessions too sometimes, they're always nice to have for a bit. I hope you guys have a good week. CJ xx

RURAL said...

Ah Meredith, first you inspire us with your knitting, and now weaving. Your work is delightful, and so beautiful.

The textures, the colors...it makes me want to set up a loom and gaze off yonder, letting my mind wander through the experience, as I shuttle and do what ever it is that weavers do...lol

Jen

Claudia said...

Hey, last time around it was Boston losing to the Rays. It all evens out.

The scarf is beautiful!

xo
Claudia

Willow said...

I applaud you for the second scarf! And yes, weaving does teach us many things about ourselves, as does knitting.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished shawl!

Pooch said...

Lovely scarf in a beautiful color. It's a new experience each time we make something. Enjoy!

:)

Carla from The River said...

Beautiful color.
I am looking forward to your next project.
:-)

Karen said...

Wonderful life lesson you've learned at your loom. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Unknown said...

That scarf is beautiful! Plus it doesn't hurt that it is in my favorite color! lol. It looks perfect to me. Isn.r it funny about critical we can be about things we create!
I also need to loosen up about some things.

Olga Poltava said...

Wow, another pretty scarf. And I cannot wait to see your shawl!

Gracie Saylor said...

How about instead of obsession we call it discipline. Any new skill one wants to learn requires practice, right? So as I see it, "cheers for you, Mere," for your disciplined practice which has already enabled you to produce two lovely scarves! xx

kathyinozarks said...

I am so happy you are enjoying weaving-it can be obsessive at times-I have a wide shawl on my loom that I must get back to you. there are more good books availble now too for the rigid heddle-enjoy your class

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Sweet Meredith, Love the idea that you have a beautiful craft that you can stop and start and still be with Little Buddy. Little time for you but still present with him. A definite win win situation. Love the scarf it is stunning! AND you are so insightful with life and relating it to whatever you are going. I admire that!!!
xoRobin

Acorn to Oak said...

We are so much alike...I have made lots of the same shawls, bags, hats, etc. And, I think about weaving a lot...I just don't seem to get to it. I can't decide on what I want to make with the stash I have...since I'm on a yarn diet and trying really hard to reduce the amount I have. I keep thinking that I should just dive in and weave and see what happens and not think about it so hard. I like the yarns you have picked out for your next project! They're really pretty together. I'll be excited to see it when it's done. Happy weaving! :-)

Amy at love made my home said...

I'm glad that you are enjoying your weaving, and nothing wrong with a crafting obsession or two in life! I hope that you work out how to loosen up, find the time and work things through. xx

Suzan said...

Such rich colors for your new shawl!!
Do continue to show everything you're making Meredith!! Had you weaved before? Or is this completely new for you?? The instructions must have been good for setting up!!
You always make it look so easy!!
Lovely!!

Judy S. said...

You are a natural weaver! That scarf is lovely and oh, how I love the colors you've chosen for the shawl. Can't wait to see it!

Maureen said...

Love the look of the scarf! That is one of my favourite yarns. I've knit a couple of shawls using it.

You're inspiring me to get weaving!

Lulu said...

beautiful scarf

My Garden Diaries said...

That scarf is just beautiful! Weaving is just the best and you are so right it is the perfect craft to do when sitting with little people! I can't wait to see more lady! Nicole xoxo

Jay said...

What a beautiful scarf, I love the colour. I'm looking forward to seeing your shawl, as a non-crafty person I find it all so interesting.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Love your scarf...I can't wait to see your shawl. Love the yarn, too...very pretty. :) ((hugs))

Tammy said...

Pretty color! I definitely agree that you should not expect any of your weavings to be exactly perfect. Just enjoy the process and be free to play. Whatever you wind up will be fabulous. Well, except for the purple shawl ... I see that didn't quite work, though I didn't think the messy bit was so very bad. :) Tammy

Rose Red said...

I think your scarf looks great - I can't see any wonky edges!